Campus Street Style: Fall

Name: Edo Oliver

Major: Economics & East Asian Studies

Year: U4

Is fashion important? Why?
I’m not sure but…the world doesn’t see you naked (I mean sometimes it does), it perceives you through how you present yourself and so clothes are important to me at least. It’s a way to express yourself and also imagine yourself.

If you could only wear one clothing item for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

I think I’d probably go with shoes, don’t want my feet getting dirty, and sometimes all you need is a pair of shoes… or gloves …those can make a statement too.

Who are your major style influences?

I’d have to say that my influences are kind of all over the place. I grew up idolizing the 70s disco era and 80s J-pop so those two definitely shaped my tastes of today. Probably one of the biggest influences on my fashion is my friends. I love people who do whatever they want, have fun with clothes, and don’t really limit themselves. Living in Tokyo when we were young let us go crazy in the city and feed off of each other’s energy. It was a kind of a free for all with no limits. In terms of designers I’d go with Issey Miyake, Miuccia Prada, Dior back when Galliano designed for them, but more than designers I think film and anime are a huge influence. The characters that directors create in their movies become figures whose traits and stories I want to recreate.

If you could have anyone in the world’s wardrobe whose would it be?

Freddie Mercury or maybe Rei Kawakubo, I bet that closet is wild.

Which fictional character best embodies your style?

Hmmm… Honestly, Mamoru from Sailor Moon… I used to try that middle/side part hairstyle every day when I was a little kid.

What’s the biggest fashion mistake of all time?

Thinking there are rules in fashion.

Name: Danya Firestone

Major: Liberal Arts

Year: U3

Is fashion important? Why?

I think fashion is so important. Broadly speaking, it’s a way to understand culture and society. On a more personal level, it’s an avenue through which you can be creative, have fun and express who you are.

If you could only wear one clothing item for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

Probably a black turtleneck. It’s timeless, versatile and practical.

Favourite store in Montreal?

Ibiki.

Trendy or classic?

Classic.

Who are your major style influences?

Charlotte Gainsbourg, Diane Keaton, Audrey Hepburn and my Nana.

What’s your favourite decade for fashion?

Both the 1950s and the 1960s.

Favourite style Instagram accounts / blogs?

WGSN, www.onabbotkinney.com

If you could have anyone in the world’s wardrobe whose would it be?

Caroline de Maigret

Favourite brand?

Acne Studios/COS to actually shop.

What’s the biggest fashion mistake of all time?

I don’t think there is such thing. If someone liked it and felt happy wearing it then it wasn’t a mistake.

Name: Keira Kenny

Major: History

Year: U2

Is fashion important? Why?

It’s creative and fun, it’s always good to be fun and creative.

If you could only wear one clothing item for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

Black trousers because they go with everything.

What’s your favourite decade for fashion?

70’s Britain.

Favourite store in Montreal?

Annex Vintage.

Vintage or new?

A smorgasbord of both.

Favourite style Instagram accounts / blogs?

I think the only one I follow is Man Repeller.

If you could have anyone in the world’s wardrobe whose would it be?

Lily-Rose Depp (assuming she gets to steal Johnny Depp’s wardrobe as well).

Which fictional character best embodies your style?

The only thing that comes to mind is if you blended all of the character’s outfits from Pulp Fiction together.

Favourite brand?

Sandro.

What’s the biggest fashion mistake of all time?

Loose velvet leggings.

Name: Maya Inglis

Major: Art History

Year: U3

Is fashion important? Why?

I think that fashion is important as a means of creative self-expression and maybe more importantly self-determination. Fashion can be powerful through its ability to influence the interpretation of our identity by people we encounter in our daily lives, on the bus, at work, anywhere. It can be oppressive, if we think that because of who we are we should dress a certain way even if it doesn’t feel right, and it can also be very freeing and allow us to express to people around us who we really are, especially when they might not be willing to read that from our bodies alone. It can also be an art form just like any other, and if art is socially important then by default fashion would be too.

If you could only wear one clothing item for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

Probably a large turtleneck, I love them. I like to be able to hide my face at any moment.

Who are your major style influences?

A major influence is probably music videos, like Spice Girls or TLC videos, imagery that was embedded in my mind when I was little. When I got to the age where I had the independence and agency to choose exactly what I wanted to wear I think the desire to emulate these women that I really admired and their clothing choices probably resurfaced. Honestly though, my clothing choices are pretty all over the place, and what I am influenced by is broad.

What’s your favourite decade for fashion?

The 2010’s.

Vintage or new?

Vintage definitely, or I guess ‘used’ would be the word. Beyond the obvious affordability, I like buying used clothing because I think it’s less wasteful. There is so much clothing and material that already exists on this earth, why not reuse or repurpose that before creating new materials to make new garments. Also, in used clothing stores no two garments are the same which is exciting.

Favourite style Instagram accounts / blogs?

I don’t think I follow any style accounts on Instagram. The accounts that inspire my style are probably those of friends whose clothing choices I admire.

Which fictional character best embodies your style?

Severus Snape.

Favourite brand?

Buying primarily used clothing means that my closet is filled with all sorts of different and strange brands. I think there are probably a lot of amazing designers and brands who are tired of the mainstream fashion world and are working to break down convention in fashion through things like rejecting the gender binary. So my favourite brands would be the ones that make clothing that reject limiting and even oppressive conventions.

Name: Paloma Vasquez de Velasco A.

Major: Education (Secondary English and History)

Year: U2

Is fashion important? Why?

Absolutely. I think we are all unique beings, and everyone thinks and moves and feels differently, the clothes on our backs being the mere extension of ourselves. The way one dresses shows the way one is inside.

If you could only wear one clothing item for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

Sunglasses, so I can glance at other people without getting caught (a.k.a. social media in real life).

Who are your major style influences?

Anywhere from Frida Kahlo on sunny days to Alexander McQueen for the rainy ones.

What’s your favourite decade for fashion?

Has to be the 50s, the bathing suits were BOMB.

Favourite store in Montreal?

Eva B! (anachronistic person right here).

If you could have anyone in the world’s wardrobe whose would it be?

Lady Gaga. I’ve always wanted a meat dress.

Which fictional character best embodies your style?

My style varies on the day, mood, and weather, but most times I like to think of myself as Clementine from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Manic pixie dream girl.

What’s the biggest fashion mistake of all time?

THE LOW-WAISTED JEANS THAT GUYS WEAR UNDER THEIR BUTT. WHY?

Name: Ruby Thelot

Major: Accounting and OB concentration

Year: U2

Is fashion important? Why?

Not really. Fashion sucks. For the most part it’s elitist and only fuels more consumption. Fashion, especially fast-fashion, is actually destroying the world. I think it’s nice that we can express ourselves through clothing, but sometimes I feel marketers might have created that whole concept.
 

If you could have anyone in the world’s wardrobe whose would it be?

I went to this vintage shop a couple years ago and I found two beautiful black shirts, and when I asked the clerk, she told me they belonged to one guy who had gotten rid of them. They were the perfect fit and the exact style and cut I love. So I guess that guy’s, I want his wardrobe.

What’s your favourite decade for fashion?

Now! Now is amazing for people. Because we have such a variety of things to choose from, but, more importantly, the freedom to wear them.

Favourite store in Montreal?

The one I work at: Ophelie HATS. We hand-make hats and they are beautiful.

Also, love Renaissance.

Trendy or classic?

Neither. I dislike both. Trendy is used to fuel consumerism and classic is full of restrictions and codes.

DESTROY ALL IDOLS: old and new.

What’s the biggest fashion mistake of all time?

The entire year 2010.

Name: Sise Drummond

Major: English Cultural Studies

Year: U3

Is fashion important? Why?

Yes – it shapes anything and everything – from art, to music, to architecture, to popular culture. It inspires everything around us.

If you could only wear one clothing item for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

Probably my custom Nike Blazers. They are all white leather, with an electric blue Nike logo on the back. I designed them two years ago and they seriously never get old. I consider them my staple item because of my creative input on their design. The all white sneaker goes along with my personal aesthetic – clean and simple – and I wear them with absolutely everything.

Who are your major style influences?

My mom– though our style is very different in many ways, she has really taught me to appreciate the art of clothing and fashion. She’s an interior designer but originally studied to be a fashion designer, so naturally she has an amazing eye for colour and shape. I can always trust her when I ask her if whatever I have on matches or looks flattering. Also, I’ve always been a huge Kanye fan – I would say that a lot of the time I draw influence from his aesthetic of neutral basics and oversized apparel. My friends tend to tell me I look like a homeless person and for some reason I take it as a compliment…

What’s your favourite decade for fashion?

Definitely depends on the day, my style changes all the time. I like to challenge myself by trying out different looks. I’ve always loved 70s style, but I find it hard to pull off. My go-to is the classic 80s look: a pair of vintage mom jeans and a tight turtleneck.

Favourite style Instagram accounts / blogs?

This might be a typical answer, but if I had to choose one I would say that I enjoy scrolling through Emily Oberg’s Instagram account. I don’t know if her style is necessarily representative of my personal style, but I respect the image and brand she’s created for herself. Emily is Canadian (yay!), and works as an editor at Complex. She recently founded her passion project; Sporty & Rich, an all-encompassing brand which features a magazine, a blog, and a few pieces of merchandise.

If you could have anyone in the world’s wardrobe whose would it be?

Probably my mom’s during her youth. I would love to have access to everything she owned from her teen years through her 30s.

Name: Tea Vasev

Major: Economics

Year: U1

Is fashion important? Why?

Beyond important. Fashion allows people to creatively express themselves. It helps establish identity, illustrate culture and share views about the world. Fashion has so much soul… So much passion. And it makes life ever more beautiful.

If you could only wear one clothing item for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

A puffy, floor-length, white fur coat because it’s sexy, sophisticated, mysterious and glamorous. It’s also versatile; I can be a diva on her way to film an R&B music video or en route to a royal ball.

Who are your major style influences?

My older sister and cousin are probably the two that have shaped my style the most. They have shown me the beauty in dressing differently and taught me how to express myself through fashion. The London fashion scene is also one of my major style influences.

What’s your favourite decade for fashion?

Definitely 90s haute couture. One of my all-time favourite collections is Versace’s Fall 1991 Freedom.

Favourite style Instagram accounts / blogs?

I’ve got a whole repertoire… @stylemefresh @c__l__o @__s____o @wildestlovers @nenthe and the first place goes to @virgomood.

If you could have anyone in the world’s wardrobe whose would it be?

Cary Tauben.

Which fictional character best embodies your style?

Scarface’s wife meets Vanessa Kensington from Austin Powers.

Name: Tom Gould

Major: Theatre and Drama

Year: U2

Is fashion important? Why?

It might be to individuals on a personal level. But overall, no. They’re just clothes that keep you warm and stop your dick and/or tits flapping about. This generation is descending into this superficial swamp, my reluctant-self included (thanks Paris Hilton), and everyone seemingly has to join a specific tribe of people that adhere to certain aesthetic ideals and then be judged according to them. I don’t really care enough to be annoyed by it, but I’m aware of how absurd it is. It’s so irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, but that’s so easy to forget. The fashion industry still fascinates me though; it’s the sole bastion of legitimate superficiality. It’s fundamentally and unapologetically shallow. It’s the one place where the inside actually doesn’t count.

If you could only wear one clothing item for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

Practically, I guess a boiler suit. But that’s not the question. Blue jeans maybe? A black t-shirt? Sneaks? Something simple.

Who are your major style influences?

My friends. We always end up morphing into the same person over the course of a few months. Otherwise, Bowie. Not stage Bowie, just everyday-getting-interviewed-being-paparazzied-Bowie. He was a total geezer. He was the reason I got my ear pierced. He did a Charlie Rose interview I think in the 90s and took David Byrne vibes into the next decade; that was a mint look. Also the Brat Pack; everyone in John Hughes’ movies looked like legends. Particularly Andrew McCarthy, he’s my favourite. He looked wicked smart in Pretty in Pink. Big coats, pleated pants like Ben Horne from Twin Peaks. He’s another suave character I always talk about. Dapper as houses. Also, people in bands. Most shows I go to I’ll like something someone’s wearing and try to remember to keep an eye out for something similar. Maya from Porches comes to mind. Also, I used to straight copy outfits from bands from Birmingham when I was 16.

What’s your favourite decade for fashion?

Late 80s/90s. Y2K for novelty.

Favourite store in Montreal?

I don’t think I’ve ever bought anything in a store here in 3 years. Apart from Value Village on half price day. But that’s because I rarely have money. Yup.

Which fictional character best embodies your style?

I’d like to say Ferris Bueller, but it’s definitely not Ferris Bueller. Somewhere between Ferris and Lloyd Dobler.

What’s the biggest fashion mistake of all time?

I don’t care. (What a perfect way to end the most self-indulgent thing I’ve ever written. If my brother sees this, I’m sorry).